Embassy of Japan in Malawi
在マラウイ日本国大使館

Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects

Handover Ceremony

The Project for the Improvement of the Facility of Mwanza District Hospital 

in Mwanza District 

  July 17, 2015

On Friday, 17th July 2015, His Excellency Shuichiro Nishioka, Ambassador of Japan to Malawi handed over the Project for Improvement Facility of Mwanza District Hospital in Mwanza District. The ceremony was held at the district hospital, graced by the Honourable Jean Kalilani M.P., Minister of Health.

Health is a critical part of every human security and universal access to quality health services is one of the most essential aspects of improving the quality of life for all people. Mwanza District Hospital has a bed capacity of 250 and serves a population of over 100,000 within the district. The hospital also receives patients from Mozambique which is neighboring the district and every month, almost 11,500 patients come to the hospital for different health care services. Although the number of patients at the hospital has been increasing, the Hospital has been facing challenges of infrastructure such as difficulty ensuring the continuous supply of clean water and electricity. Also inadequate number of pit latrines for visitors and overflowing of the main septic tank, creating a poor hygienic environment around the hospital. These situations adversely affect the delivery of quality health services at the hospital.

In order to address this challenge, the Government of Japan under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, provided a grant amounting to $41,816 (equivalent to K20.5 million at present value) to Mwanza District Hospital. The grant specifically facilitated the procurement and servicing of 5 water reserve tanks, the procurement of 5 solar panel systems including batteries and invertors, the installation of a septic tank, the construction of 3 visitors’ toilets and the renovation of the laundry space.

Speaking during the ceremony, Ambassador Nishioka stated that through introduction of the solar panel system, the hospital will now be able to conduct emergency surgeries and use incubators for new born babies in critical conditions; that can lead to save more lives. He also hoped that the project will contribute to improving the quality of health care for not only the people of Mwanza and Neno but also neighboring Mozambique.